Nando’s orders Reading chicken restaurant Fernando’s to rebrand

Piri-piri chicken chain Nando’s has commenced legal action against a Reading restaurant accusing it of copying its name and imagery.

Fernando’s, which is rated excellent on Trip Advisor after launching seven months ago, has been accused of “infringement of Nando’s intellectual property rights”.

But Fernando’s director Asam Aziz has said the name of the restaurant was taken from the holiday destination featured on hit TV show Take Me Out, while its logo is a variation of the traditional Portuguese chicken symbol.

He told The Caterer: “I was left gobsmacked. I thought what the hell is going on, why would they do this. My name is different, the chicken is the national one of Portugal that I adapted.

“I personally think they are scared my chicken is better. Everywhere people are saying it’s amazing, better than Nando’s. All my customers are behind me saying do not let them do this.”

Aziz said he may have to change his restaurant’s name to avoid legal bills that could stretch to tens of thousands of pounds but added, “I just feel inside me that it’s wrong”.

A spokesperson for Nando’s said: “We are really proud of our brand and we know it means a lot to our customers. That’s why whenever we think there is trademark infringement we try to sort it out amicably.

“We have asked this restaurant to rebrand because we believe it is trying to benefit from some of things that make us who we are – our menu, logo and even our name.”